Pledge Problems...

[Cloud9]

Hey Peoples!

I have a problem, I'm hoping you can help! As alot of you may know(or maybe not, I know I post so rarely that it could be forgotten), I am part of a local sorority formed to foster diversity in all aspects. We're a young group, about 4 years in the making now. We've been extremely successful so far, and are growing steadily. One of our main features setting people apart from , ahem, some other orgs on campus is that we maintain a strict no hazing policy. In fact, this was part of our founding principles. This is especially important to me, because as a freshman pledge I was hazed by another org(I dropped that crap right quick), and from experience I can say that it's a bad road to go down in so many ways. Ok, so that's the backround, fast forward to the issue...

During our pledge process, we have midterm interviews, which are meant to evaluate how the new members are doing, i.e. how much information they have learned and if they have completed other tasks like attending required philanthropy events, meeting with sisters, and hosting their own event(we host one for them first). Nothing is forced on them, they are not punished, they know these are the requirements and that we expect to see them take the initiative to learn everything.

The interviews were a disaster, basically. The NMs don't know the history, especially regarding sisters and lineages very well at all. They have put in minimum effort to get to know active members. Basically they put in the smallest amount of effort of any new class, and just expect to be initiated without knowing anything about the org. Disapointing, to say the least.

The problem is, that many sisters got upset, and began to make very desperate suggestions. I couldn't believe some of the things I heard, like sending them out to do something "physical", or "scaring" them, stuff like that. It was like everyone was on crack or something, I dunno, it was insane. I got up and told them all that if they did any of that crap I was out of there. Anyways, the next day people had calmed down and we talked about it. It's true, on more than one occasion girls will come through and put in little effort even as sisters, and it's disheartening. I don't think girls realize coming in how much work it is to be a part of a new and growing organization. But I know that hazing would only force a facade from pledges, and I want a process that teaches them to have the desire themselves to take on a really active role in the sorority. I know that everyone here always has really creative ideas about pretty much every aspect of greeklife. do you have any suggestions to help us foster that sort of attitude in our New Members? BTW, sorry this isn't very eloquent, I'm rushing to class...

[shadokat]

I guess I would ask what sort of activities and such are you doing to teach the new members the information they need to learn. I mean, are they handed a manual and told to learn it? Are they given opportunities to interact with the active members to talk and get to know them so they feel part of the group? A lot of times when new members don't have that interaction, they aren't made to feel part of the group.

I am not saying that's what your group has done Cloud9, because I have no idea. But often times, new members aren't necessarily lazy...they just don't know how to go about things.

[CarolinaCutie]

I am a newly initiated sister, so my pledge period ended just last week. I am not sure what kind of advice I can give, but I do know what worked in my Phi class.

Have you impressed upon them the importance of these activities? Have you let them know how incredibly happy and proud the sisters will be when they are exemplary in every way?
My Phi Mom (or new member educator) was thrilled to have us and be our role model throughout our Phi period. For the things that we were asked to do, i.e. make up a song to sing at semi-formal, we knew that the end result would be met with praise and appreciation from the sisters. That was motivation enough for us to want to know our creed, memorize the facts about our sorority, make paddles for our Bigs. Yeah, some of the things we did were a drain on our time and resources... but we were excited to do them because the entire chapter loved it.

Just a thought...

[KappaTarzan]

as weird as this sounds you need someone just a little intimidating as your pledge educator.. a girl wh you know would never ever haze you ( we are also haze free) but you don't want to find out what would happen if she got mad... a sister that is a little older is usually better at this, they tend to work more and be around less, which makes the times hen the "older girl" is around more serious.
i can honestly say that i was not hazed once and did it all because my pledge educator was someone i didn't want to ever get mad, in real life or sorority stuff... we also received ALOT of praise which helped a ton

[chideltjen]

We try not to scare our girls... more or less, give them a reality check. Have they gotten their big sis' yet? (I would assume so since the semester is ending here...)

But we generally have revealing planned to about the 4th or 5th week into the semester. But if the girls are slacking on tests and other requirements, we will go in the 3rd week and say, Hey you were gonna get your bigs tonight but you girls aren't passing your tests, etc, even tho they are getting their bigs next reguardless. It kinda kicks them into high gear. I know it did my class.
It's been done with initiation too... say they didn't get it on a monday when it's actually just going to be a Wednesday. But that can be a little tricky. I dont know if I would fool initiation. Esp. if it's been planned.

My 2 cents.

[Kevlar281]

Being friends with the pledges is important but so is material. Recently someone asked me to name the founding fathers in front of a pledge who was stammering with an answer. I smoked him in speed. Of course his excuse was I had been in the fraternity longer. I looked at him and told him I could do it faster when I was a pledge. My point is find a brother/sister that is top-shelf when it comes to material. Every chapter has one and have him/her start randomly quizzing the pledge class. It’s one thing to not do so good on a written test it’s another to start being “called out” in front of the fraternity/sorority.

[crystalline]

I know for my sorority, new members have to pass a membership exam. If they do not pass, they cannot be initiated, and have to keep retaking the test. They do get one makeup test before initiation, in case they were having a bad day or whatever. Do you give your pledges a test?

[Kevin]

I know this can be a problem.. It's not one that's simple to fix. You have to have motivated and motivatING people in key positions for your new members to feel the positive energy and want to contribute.

When new members fail to do something often it's because of poor communication on the side of the older members. If they haven't gotten to know some older members maybe it's because the olders didn't make themselves available? It's important that they extend effort also.

[Cloud9]

You're right ktsnake, there was definitely fault on the actives' part as well. It's been extremely difficult to coordinate schedules this semester for whatever reason. So yes, this is also a factor. So in a way, I need ideas for motivating both the pledges as well as motivating the actives to do their part as well. Are there any teambuilding activities or events that might help to get everyone working together? And thanks for the advice so far guys, I knew you wouldn't let me down!

[Peaches-n-Cream]

Community service and philanthropic events help with team building. You can also have a sisterhood event like a lock in where you play games and get to know each other better.

[33girl]

Originally posted by KappaTarzan
as weird as this sounds you need someone just a little intimidating as your pledge educator.. a girl wh you know would never ever haze you ( we are also haze free) but you don't want to find out what would happen if she got mad... a sister that is a little older is usually better at this, they tend to work more and be around less, which makes the times hen the "older girl" is around more serious.

there are two kinds of pledge educators that bring out the best:

1. The pledge mom (like mine) who everyone loves, and you want to bust your butt to make her proud.
2. The pledge mom who is somewhat intimidating, and you want to bust your butt to show her that you can do it.

IMO the worst kind of pledge mom is someone who's just kind of "there." For better or worse, it should be someone with a slightly bigger personality than the average sister. If the sister the pledges are around most often and who is supposed to guide them is a bump on a log, it's very hard to get the pledges psyched about the sorority. In effect, she has to be a stellar rusher as well, because she has to keep rushing the pledges until they are initiated.

Well, looking at the pledge classes in my own fraternity. It seems that each pledge class gets less and less motivated, 'till there's a rebound class which is on top of everything and gets stuff done, an' then the ones afterwards keep deteriorating again 'till the next rebound.


Anybody else have this trend?